Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What term describes the anger or frustration experienced when ethical obligations cannot be fulfilled?

1. Relational ethics

2. Moral distress

3. Boundary violation

4. Confidentiality

The correct answer is: Moral distress

The term that describes the anger or frustration experienced when ethical obligations cannot be fulfilled is moral distress. This concept is significant in the field of healthcare, where practitioners often face situations where they are aware of the ethically appropriate action but feel unable to take it due to various constraints, such as institutional policies or the actions of others. Moral distress can lead to emotional and psychological strain, affecting a nurse's job satisfaction and overall well-being, and may eventually impact the quality of care provided to patients. Relational ethics focuses more on the relationships and interactions within care settings rather than the internal conflict caused by ethical dilemmas. Boundary violation refers to failing to maintain professional limits in relationships, and confidentiality pertains to the obligation to protect patient information. While these terms are important in nursing practice, they do not specifically capture the emotional turmoil associated with the inability to act on ethical convictions, which is central to understanding moral distress.